Help bridge the digital divide by completing a survey

In January, the City of Minneapolis will survey city residents to get their perspectives about how they use computers, mobile devices and the Internet to better their daily lives. About 8,800 households will receive the survey in the mail from National Research Center, Inc., an independent research firm that will conduct the survey. Households contacted to complete the survey will be selected randomly throughout the entire city, with the goal of reaching a diverse cross-section of Minneapolis residents.

Surveys will be mailed out beginning Tuesday, Jan. 5. If you receive a survey in the mail, please take a few minutes to complete the survey and mail it back in the envelope provided. The City of Minneapolis will use the results to better understand technology use in the city and to help guide the City’s efforts in closing the digital divide. The results will also be used by Minneapolis’ Digital Inclusion Fund as its advisors decide how to target grant funds to help bridge this divide.

Residents who wish to complete their survey in Spanish, Somali or Hmong will see an instruction in their language on the postcard and cover letter letting them know how to request a survey in their language. People can request the survey in additional languages by calling 311 or 612-673-3000.

Minneapolis’ Digital Inclusion FundAs part of the contract between the City of Minneapolis and USI Wireless (the company that built and manages the citywide wireless network), USI Wireless agreed to establish a Digital Inclusion Fund to promote affordable Internet access, low cost hardware, computer training and local content.

The City sought the creation of this fund as a way to bridge the digital divide and to help folks who otherwise may not have access to the technology tools and training needed to compete in today’s digital world.

The City asked the Minneapolis Foundation to manage the digital inclusion fund and its grant making process. Since it was established in 2007, the fund has granted a total of $400,000 to agencies working to promote digital literacy and bridge the digital divide. For more information on the Digital Inclusion Fund, visit www.digitalinclusionfund.org.